It's been nearly a month since Tom Brady appealed his four-game Deflategate suspension, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has yet to announce whether he will uphold or modify the four-time Super Bowl winner's punishment.

SAN FRANCISCO - After a nearly decade-long steroids prosecution, Barry Bonds emerged victorious Tuesday when federal prosecutors dropped what was left of their criminal case against the career home runs leader.

MINNEAPOLIS - A federal magistrate ordered the NFL and the NFL Players Association into settlement negotiations Monday in their fight over Adrian Peterson's suspension.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Janie Mayeron set a settlement conference for Aug. 13.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Pittsburgh shortstop Jordy Mercer is expected to miss six weeks because of a knee injury, leaving the Pirates without their starters on the left side of the infield possibly until September.

Amarillo native Ryan Palmer had his lowest round in a major this year with a five-under 67 to move into a tie for 18th at seven-under after the third round of The Open Championship at St. Andrews Golf Course.

IRVING - Sarah Thomas expects NFL fans to boo her, just like they do the other 121 game officials. It would mean a measure of acceptance for the league's first full-time female official.
Thus, Thomas took no offense at Amy Trask's recent comments.

HOUSTON - Rougned Odor homered early, then got into a testy exchange at home plate in the ninth inning that escalated into a shouting match between the managers Saturday night as the Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros, 7-6.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Chiefs and linebacker Justin Houston agreed on a six-year, $101 million contract just hours before the Wednesday afternoon deadline to reach a long-term deal, a person familiar with the situation said.

CINCINNATI - The betting favorite to win the annual Home Run Derby on Monday night was Prince Fielder, the same Fielder who won the American League player vote at designated hitter and was the 2011 All-Star Game MVP.

GILBERT, Ariz. - Former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb had a blood alcohol level that was more than twice the legal limit when he was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Arizona last month, police said Tuesday.

LAS VEGAS - NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says the league is leaning toward eliminating division records in the playoff-seeding formula, and that the change is expected to become finalized before the beginning of next season.

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Buffalo Bills President Russ Brandon says offensive line coach Aaron Kromer has been put on paid administrative leave after being accused of punching a boy in the face for using Kromer's beach chairs.

CINCINNATI - A.J. Burnett sat at his table during the National League media session Monday wearing a white T-shirt that showed off his tattooed arms, his hair styled in a faux hawk similar to the 'do worn by one of his sons standing nearby.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - For the first time in 10 years, the Houston Astros went into the All-Star break with a winning record, even if it didn't feel like it after Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

SILVIS, Ill. - Jordan Spieth made it a lot tougher on himself than it needed to be.
In the end, Spieth got exactly what he was looking for from the John Deere Classic: a win and some positive energy ahead of the British Open.

BOSTON - Hanley Ramirez hit a two-run homer, Mookie Betts had a pair of extra-base hits and David Ortiz also had two hits Saturday to help the Boston Red Sox beat the first-place New York Yankees 5-3.
The Red Sox won for the 10th time in 13 games.

LAS VEGAS - Every few minutes, Becky Hammon would check some notes and then stuff the list back into her hip pocket. She huddled with her assistant coaches while scribbling up plays that she would show her team during timeouts.

Amarillo native and Amarillo High graduate Cody Pfister is getting another shot in the UFC. The 24-year-old fighter is set to take on Yosdenis Cedeno (10-4-0) in the early prelims of UFC 189 featuring Jose Aldo vs.

Kevin Love has unfinished business in Cleveland and Tyson Chandler will be conducting his in Phoenix.
The first full day of NBA free agency featured skyrocketing salaries and a flurry of moves, though no decision yet from LaMarcus Aldridge.